Adios, Versa

[judecorp]

So we've given up the hunt for the elusive Versa. It was just too crazy to think that there was not a single dealer in this area that expected to have one any time in the near future (read: when we need a car) that wasn't bright white or fire engine red. We got tired of calling dealers and getting the "we expect a truck in the next 10 days maybe" runaround. And, admittedly, I started to just get really stressed out about Jen not having a car for her new job. She also is taking next week off between jobs and we were going to use some of that time to get some stuff fixed on the Focus (breaks check, oil change, finally fix the trunk damage from the vodka bottle, general maintenance check) since I'd actually have a car to use for work. So the idea of cutting it to the wire was not going to work.

We went to Plan B, which is the Scion xA. It was one of the first cars we test drove (the same day as the Matrix) and we liked it quite a bit. It was a little higher on emissions than I liked but it has decent gas mileage and handled pretty well (more like an economy car than the Versa but good). And it is certainly well within our price range - actually on the lower end. It's cute, it has a hatch back, and reviews all list it as quite dependable with little maintenance required. I think Edmunds said it had the Lowest True Cost To Own in its class, so that's nice, too. Jen found a dealer locally that is supposed to get one, yes one, on Saturday or Monday and she put a little deposit on it so we get first dibs. It's a nice maroon color (Scion calls it "salsa red" which does not look like a fire engine) and it is a little pricier because it happens to have the optional extra airbag package (side and curtain air bags), which is cool because I kind of wanted that anyway.

The sucky parts are that it doesn't have as much haul space as the Versa or the Matrix or the other cars we looked at, and that it doesn't have much pick-up. But I guess that's what happens when you get into Car Desparation Crunch Time. Besides, it's cheap and cute, and heck, I don't require much more than that.

Comments

[antipixie-karee.livejournal.com]

Did you check out the Pontiac Vibe? It's got the same engine as the Matrix and all the other bonuses.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah - it's a little pricey for us and we're nervous to buy an american car.

[antipixie-karee.livejournal.com]

I understand. I never liked Pontiacs; the red lights always freaked me out. At least, until we got a Vibe. We've had really good luck with ours and we love it. Of course, we've had really good luck with the Focus too. :/

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I had a Vibe as a rental car and we really liked it. It's cute and I liked it better than the Matrix. It's a LITTLE cheaper, but not enough to really make a difference, sadly.

I'm glad you like it, though!

[thelastbard.livejournal.com]

Just so you know, it's not an American car - both cars are made by Toyota, the Pontiac only has a different set of bumpers and stuff. You're still getting a Toyota.

Did you look at Honda's new line of small cars?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Hunh. That's interesting.

We were interested in the Honda Fit, but we can't seem to find a dealer that actually HAS one. They're all doing pre-orders, but I refuse to commit to buying a car I've never even SEEN.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

yay for new car!

And there ain't nothin' wrong with fire-engine red. yay for red!!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Fire engine red on an ECONOMY hatchback? Yeah, it just did NOT look right. Hence why that one has been on the lot for 4+ weeks and the others sell in 1 day.

Your car, however, is quite cute.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Mine's a hatchback too! La la la!

I still really love red cars. You wait and watch, my next car will be bright red too, if I get the chance to pick it.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

You're cute enough to pull off a red car! Hot cha cha!

[prettyvacantone.livejournal.com]

By the way, I know it's probably a bit late for recommendations but I've been SUPER happy with my Mazda 3 and I think the base models are right in your range. Plus, they have hatchback and really cute colors (including PURPLE!). I know you're probably set on your decision, but I'd at least check them out. They've also go a great warranty.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we looked into Mazda 3s but they were pricier than we could realistically afford, unless we stripped every single thing out of it. Which is what the Focus is like. Which kind of takes the fun out of a car payment.

But yes, they are cute. And the blue one is really pretty!

[prettyvacantone.livejournal.com]

Yeah when I looked at the price ranges I figured only the base base base models would be an option, but I gotta give props to them whenever I get a chance. *hugs* Good luck with the Scion, I bet it'll be fun!

When is Jen leaving?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Jen leaves Oct. 10th. :(

I wish we made real money.

[prettyvacantone.livejournal.com]

I can send you some chocolate coins. It's not real money, but it's more delicious. Would that help?

Wait..isn't that before your birthdays!??! :(

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Mmm, chocolate money!!

And yes, it is before our birthdays (but after yours!). She is leaving work early that day to come back here because I bought us theatre tickets for our birthday a bazillion years ago. But then she will leave again. :( :(

[prettyvacantone.livejournal.com]

suckage. at least you guys get to be together on the birthday, even if it's not a wake up together fall asleep together affair.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's better than having to go to the theatre alone on my birthday!

You should come visit!

[photodork.livejournal.com]

why buy new jude?

the depreciation is retarded on new cars(20% after year1).

best choice might be a 2-3 yr offlease vehicle with tons of warranty left. you can drive it under warranty for a 2-3 yrs before it expires.

id definatly stay away from new domestic cars, i would never buy one again... the resale value on new domestic cars is so poor, yer better to take the money and light it up in the fireplace. they might be a good choice for a lower price on used market.
definatly check out the bluebook to see what value you can expect after having it for a few years.
id also avoid leasing unless you can write off the expense.

i hope you guys find something you like in your budget!!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Normally I would totally agree with you. I have never bought a new car.

My favorite, most reliable and cost-efficient car was the one year old Nissan Sentra program car that I bought from a dealer in Maine. I saved a ton of money and it was a fabu car.

So when Jen was looking for a car back in Columbus, we went for another one year old car at a dealer... and we ended up with our Ford Focus. The price was right, it was only a year old, and we were told it had been a dealer car (used for test drives and dealer business). As you know, we've had nothing but problems with it, and only a few months ago found out we were lied to and it had previously been an enterprise rent-a-car.

So right now we're a little leery, due to our Focus woes, to buy anything that we don't practically see drive off the truck, even if it means we're not making the best of our purchase, know what I mean? Because we plan to keep our cars until they die, and I kind of like being the one owner this time so we can't have another enterprise fiasco.

[eight.livejournal.com]

my dad and stepmother just bought two new scions - they're pretty cute : )

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I think they're cute, too! Do your dad and stepmother like their scions? Do they run well? Do they break down a lot? (They shouldn't, they're Toyotas.)

[eight.livejournal.com]

They love them enough to have bought two - they run very well and are extremely efficient (my dad has long drives to work). They also live in Vermont and made it through a mud season without getting stuck, so I guess they're pretty good with the dirt roads ... not that you live on a dirt road. No repairs or breakdowns yet.

When I get a real job, I'm so buying a toyota.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yay, I am so glad to hear your feedback. (Or your relatives', but you know.) Thank you so much.

We can hang out soon, well, whenever we finally move and you're not buried in books.

[pantsie.livejournal.com]

We hope that you have as much fun with your Scion xA as we have had with our Scion xB, Boxy Brown.

Scion's are fab; I'm a bit biased, though.

[pantsie.livejournal.com]

Oh, that apostrophe! How did that sneak in there?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

It was totally a curse.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

When we first went to the Scion dealer, I was thinking of you and Boxy Brown and how much you like her. (Boxy's a chick, right?) I don't really like the boxiness for myself, but I remember saying how pleased you were with your purchase.

One question, since Boxy and the xA have the same engine - how's the pickup on the highway? Is it like, "Oh, you can't pass anyone." or more like "Just don't be silly thinking you own a sports car."?